>> and my uncle, firefighter

james gregg. >> and my husband. the boys just started college. i know you would be so proud of them. i love you. [both reading names]

>> and my cousin. we miss you and think about you every day. >> and my sister-in-law. [bell rings]

>> on tuesday morning, president obama, first lady michelle obama, and the white house staff gathered on the south lawn of the white house for a moment of silence to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

[bell rings]

[playing "taps"]

>> and the pentagon held its own memorial service on tuesday. president obama, defense secretary leon panetta, and joint chiefs of staff martin dempsey took part in the ceremony, honoring those injured in the attack. >> good morning. thank you for being here. we offer a special welcome to the family and friends of those

we lost 11 years ago today. one of them was a chief warrant officer. his bench 67 than from the far right.-- seventh in from the far right. he served as a marine in vietnam, flying helicopters. joined the army national guard as a medivac pilot. he was loved by his students and moved by his deep commitment to them. one student said, he opened up my eyes and by heart to the world. many others became teachers, nurses, firefighters. bill retired from the classroom and return to serve in the pentagon. there is no doubt he lost his life that morning because he stops to help somebody. there were thousands like bill

that day. life takes on meaning only as the causes to which we attach ourselves have meeting. -- have meaning. we become what we are through some cause we make our own. september 11 will always stand apart from other days. because of what those things say about all americans. as we remember the 184 lives that ended here and those that died in new york and pennsylvania, let us commit ourselves to the ideals for which they lived and they believed. step -- and which they believed. let us honor the generation inspired to stepforward to defend our nation. a generation that still fights in afghanistan. let's rededicate our lives to giving back. the strength of our democracy

has always rested on the willingness of those who believed in those values and to serve, to give something back to this country. and now our secretary of defense, leon panetta. [applause] >> mr. president, mrs. obama, general dempsey, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, and the family members who lost a loved one here on 9/11. 11 years ago on a morning for a much like this, terrorists -- very much like this, terrorists

attacked the symbols of american strength -- our economy and our commerce, our military might and our democracy -- and took the lives of citizens for more than -- from more than 90 countries. it was the worst terrorist attack on america in our history. today people gather across the united states, around the world to remember the tragic events on 9/11. some take part in ceremonies like this. others spent time in quiet reflection and prayer. all of us take a moment to remember again where we were at that fateful moment. here together as one family, we

pause to honor and to pray and to remember the 184 lives lost at the pentagon. more than 2700 killed in lower manhattan. and the 40 who perished in that field in pennsylvania on flight 93. these victims families remember those who were lost as mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. the family members here today know that the entire nation joins you in mourning the loss of your loved ones. we're honored by your presence and just as your loved ones are heroes for ever, so are all of you.

today we also recognize and remember other heroes, those first responders who rushed to the scene behind me into the fire to save lives and help in anyway possible. we owe all of you a special debt. we appreciate all you do it to provide aid and comfort to those who needed it so badly. our thoughts also turned to the survivors. on that bright sunny morning, you reported to work with no idea about the tragedy that lay ahead. suddenly this building was rocked by an explosion. after the impact, many of you risked your lives to help others. many can remember the smell of the rubble and jet fuel.

some of you knew the victims as office mates and friends and new their families. like 60 years before, a nation at peace suddenly found itself at war. but for all of you and for every american, this memorial is a permanent place for prayer and for remembrance. it is a fitting tribute to the lives of those so cruelly taken from us, the passengers and crew of flight 77, military and civilian personnel working here at the pentagon, it is a fitting tribute to all of those who were lost. yesterday i had the opportunity to visit another memorial, the flight 93 national memorial in shanksville.

i was reminded of those horrible moments after the hijacking when the passengers and crew were able to make frantic calls to speak to their loved ones for the last time. they knew what was at stake. and yet they decided to fight back. together they took swift and decisive action to stop yet another attack targeted at the nation's capital. that spirit of selflessness and determination and courage is the enduring legacy of 9/11. it inspires our nation and our military to ensure that such an attack will never happen again. it inspires us to never forget those who perished to defend their homeland, to defend our ideals, to send a message to our enemies that no one attacks the united states of america

and gets away with it. for today, we also recall that out of the shock and sadness of 9/11 came a new sense of unity and resolve, that this would not happen again. it inspired a fierce determination to fight back and protect our way of life. in trying to attack our strengths, the terrorists on least our greatest -- unleashed our greatest strength. millions of americans responded. a whole new generation stepped forward to fight this war on terrorism.

they bled on distant battlefields. they pursued those who would do less harm. they their lives on the line to give all of us a safer and better future and to bring those behind these attacks to justice. because of their sacrifices and because they were willing to fight and to die and because of their dedication, our nation is stronger and safer today than on 9/11. we never give up the search for bin laden. we decimated the leadership for al qaeda. that group is still a threat, we tell them a heavy blow and we will continue to fight them in yemen and somalia and north africa, wherever they go to make sure they'll have no place

to hide. our troops tonight safe haven to al qaeda and its allies in afghanistan. -- denied safe-haven to al-qaeda and its allies in afghanistan. make no mistake -- we will continue to pursue and fight our enemies wherever they go, wherever they high, wherever they try to find refuge. -- wherever they hide. where ever they try to find refuge. we will never stop until we have made sure that america is safe. on this day of remembrance, let us renew a solemn pledge to those who died on 9/11 and their families. it is a pledge we also make to all of those who put their lives on the line and who paid a heavy price for the last 11 years of war. our pledge is to keep fighting

for a safer and stronger future. our pledge is to ensure that america will always remain a government of, by, and for all people. that pledge, that legacy makes clear that no one, no one who died on that terrible day 11 years ago died in vain. they died for a stronger america. this morning we're honored by the presence of our military and civilian leaders and we are honored by the president's of the president and mrs. obama. this president has led our efforts in this fight and i am honored to have served with him. it is my great honor to introduce our commander in chief. ladies and gentlemen, president barack obama. [applause]

>> secretary panetta, general dempsey, members of our armed forces, and to the families, vipers and loved ones of those we lost, -- survivors and loved ones of those lost. today we remember the day that began as so many others. drives to school and commutes to work, flights and familiar routines, quick hugs and quiet moments. it was a day like this one. clear blue sky. sky will be filled with smoke and prayers of a nation shaken to its core.

even now, all these years later,it is easy for those of us to close our eyes and to find ourselves back there, back when grief crashed over us like an awful wave, when americans everywhere held each other tight come see in the researchers that -- seeking the reassurance that the world we knew it wasn't crumbling under our feet. 11 times with marked another september 11, and gone. -- come and gone. other times we have paused in reflection and remembrance, in unity and in purpose. this is never an easy day, but it is especially difficult for all of you, the families of nearly 3000 innocents who lost their lives.

mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, your sons and your daughters. they were taken from us suddenly and for too soon. -- far too soon. we cannot begin to imagine the pain you have endured these many years. we'll never fully understand how difficult it is been for you to carry-on and to rebuild your lives. a matter how many years past, a matter how many times we come together on this hallowed ground, know this -- you will never be alone and your loved ones when never be forgotten. they will indoor in the hearts of our nation. -- endure in the hearts of our nation. through their sacrifice, they helped make the america we are today.

an america that has emerged stronger. most americans never considered a small band halfway around the world could do less harm. -- could to us such are. most of us ever heard al qaeda. we have come together and dealt a crippling blow to the organization that brought evil to our shores. al qaeda's leadership has been devastated. our country is safer and our people are resilient. the majority of those who died on september 11 never put on our country's uniform. yet they inspired more than 5 million americans to wear that uniform over the last decade. these men and women have done everything that we have asked. the war in iraq is over and we're training afghan security forces.

by the end of 2014, the longest war in our history will be over. tell us civilians have opened their hearts out to our troops and our veterans. -- countless civilians. 11 years ago, memorial services were held for americans with different races and creeds. backgrounds and beliefs. instead of turning against each other, a tragedy has brought us together. our fight is with al qaeda, not with islam or any other religion. this country was built as a beacon of freedom and tolerance. that is what made us strong, now and forever. when those innocent souls were taken from us, they left behind and unfilled work and tasks that remain undone.

that is why we chose to build the country up with a national day of service and a remembrance. it scripture tells us to not be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. there is no better way to honor the best them by discovered the best in our cells. -- the best in ourselves. this anniversary allows us to renew our faith. even the darkest night his way to a brighter dawn. -- gives way to a brighterday we can touch these names and kneel side the building. we can visit the field of honor in pennsylvania and remember the heroes. we can see water cascading into the footprints of the twin towers. we may never be able to fully

lift the burden left by those left behind, we know that somewhere a son is growing up with his father's eyes and a daughter has her mother's laugh. and reminders that those who died are with us still. as painful as this day is come in these us with a lesson -- that no single event can never destroyed who we are. no act of terrorism can change what we stand for. instead we recommit ourselves to the values that we believe in, holding firmly without wavering to the hope that we confess. that is the a firmer -- the true legacy of 9/11 will be a safer world, a stronger nation, and people more united than

ever before. god bless the members of those we lost and god bless these -- the memories of those we lost and god bless these united states of america. [applause] >> you can see the entire 9/11 memorial ceremonies in new york and the pentagon as well as remarks by members of congress. just go to our website at c- span.org and enter 9/11 memorials in the search box. that's c-span.org.

>> of bipartisan memorial was held at the capitol. house speaker john boehner, senate --

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>> members of the house and senate, staff, plays and members of the community, thank you for joining us here today for marking the anniversary of september 11, 2001. i invited you interpret as a bit in the singing of our national anthem which will be led by army master sergeant antonio giuliani. ♪ a say, can you see ♪ ♪ by the dawn's early light ♪ ♪ what so proudly we hail ♪ that the twilight's last gleaming ♪ ♪ whose bright stripes and bright stars ♪ ♪ through the perilous fight

♪ over the ramparts we watched ♪ were so gallantly streaming where ♪e rockets red ♪ the bombs bursting in air ♪ ♪gave proof through the night ♪ that our flag was still there ♪ ♪ so, say, does that star spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪over the land of the free of the brave ♪ [applause]

>> let us pray. god of heaven and earth, we give thanks for giving us another day. today, we commemorate a day begun in terror and ending in courage. we mourn those whose lives were snatched from them and wish comfort to those left behind who strive to cope with their loss. may you, oh, god, give them peace and healing. we thank you again for the almost universal international response to a great american tragedy which all the world recognized as theirs as well.

all your children of good will could see the horror of actions by man who would presume to act in your name, causing so much death and destruction. may your spirit of truth and peace and justice continue to racespeople of all faiths, ri and nations. help us. the present with us this day as we gather again on our capitol steps, bless the men and women who serve this great nation, and those who served in the senate and house of representatives. united then and united today in our shared citizenship, they have been given great

responsibility by their fellow americans. made their show of unity of our a hopeful future concerted effort to do what is best for the united states. mayday be confident in the knowledge that all americans stand behind them in their common effort to forge legislation that will reflect the resilient greatness of our nation, in building a vibrant economy into a safe and secure future. may all that is done this day and in the many days to come before your greater honor and glory, amen.

>> today we come together once again to remember and to reflect with reverence and with respect. whenever we speak of september 11, 2001, we tread on sacred ground. on this anniversary, the thoughts of our nation remain with the innocent americans that we lost, with the first responders who arrived on the scene to rescue others, and stayed at ground zero to search for survivors and remains. our solemn pledge remains clear -- to never forget those who perished on 9/11, to give voice to those who vanished. to honor our men and women in uniform from world war ii. time will not dim the glory of their deeds. the same could be said of their families. they channel their grief into action to make america safer. their commitment of time has

given all of us strength and made our country stronger. time will never dim the memory of those who perished. in moments of pain and anguish. it will never dim the american people's spirit in the wake of the attacks. time will never diminish the courage of all of the first responders. country will continue to stand by them. in deed as well as in word. time has left the memories of 9/11 emblazoned on our hearts more than a decade. on this anniversary and in the years to come, time will continue to tell the true story of 9/11 as the 9/11 families turned a national tragedy into a time of unity. the families turned a national

tragedy into a time of unity. our country came together with resolve and with hope. may god bless the families and children again and again and may god continue to bless the united states of america. >> more than a decade later, most of us still remember 9/11 like it was yesterday. the initial confusion, the horrifying realizations of what was happening, the watching, the waiting, the grief, the anger, the resolve.

would it weaken us in the world? would it weaken us at home? would we stand up? would we shrink? 11 years later we can say with certainty and pride that 9/11 did not reveal the weakness of america. 9/11 revealed the greatest of america. we didn't have to wait very long to see it. the first moment after the attacks, we saw the courage of the first responders. in the days and weeks that followed, we saw the goodness and generosity of the volunteers who descended on new york. as the months turned into

years, monuments were dedicated, mighty buildings rose again at the world trade center site, and so many have stepped forward since the 9/11 attacks to serve in the military and intelligence community. we honor them today, too. america is a safer place. many who were responsible for the 9/11 attacks have been killed or captured. there is little doubt that ours is the greatest fighting forced the world has ever known. out of a great evil we have seen greatness and goodness from our country and from our countrymen. that is why we can mark this solemn anniversary not simply with pain, sorrow, but with a renewed pride in our nation and

that unbending confidence and the goodness of its people. in her darkest hours, america has always summon the courage and strength to persevere and to prevail. we now know 9/11 was no different. here is why. we believe that every person counts. that is what we're still haunted by the faces of those who died, by the hopes and dreams that were extinguished. by the families and friendships that were shattered 11 years ago. we testified to our shared belief that each and every one of them was irreplaceable. we renew our commitment to live

our lives worthy of their memory. we pledged once again to do what it takes to keep americans saved from those who still wish to do us harm. >> it was 11 years ago today on a crystal clear morning much like today that terrorists attacked our nation. onir attack wasn't just airplanes, our buildings. it was an attack against the american spirit. an assault on freedom and democracy. they were determined to take lives and to break our nations will. all the violence turned our lives upside-down. it brought us together as a nation in the fight against

terror. in the years since, we have crippled al qaeda. our nation has begun to heal. we will never forget the bright september morning. we will never forget the thousands of innocent souls lost in new york, pennsylvania, and virginia. we will not forget the rescue workers or the sacrifice of the brave men and women of our man's armed forces, state department, intelligence committee who have made the world safer. determination carry us through those dark days. we will not forgot the way our nation fought back.

>> cardinal edward egan talks about going to st. vincent's hospital that morning. he found itself standing with two doctors. one of them was visibly shaken. if family members of his was in the towers on a high floor. the cardinal passed the young doctor if he would like to go somewhere and talk. the doctor said, no, i'm a doctor and this is my place.

everyone stood their ground. everyone stood their place. the patriots who banded together in the sky over shanksville to save this capital and these steps. the volunteers who raised their hands and said, "i will go and i will fight overseas in perilous conditions." the good samaritans who lined up to give blood and ask, what can i do? and people on their knees in prayers. everybody kept their place. that is the heart and core of

the american people. that is the bond which lies beneath our daily lives. every generation through hard sacrifice preserved the blessings of liberty and freedom. if we falter, it will be because we forgot we lost in hardship. today we listened and we vow never to forget. to carry on to meet the unmet challenges. we are americans and this is our place.

join me in a moment of silence for those that we honor and remember today. let us bow for the benediction. may the memory of 9/11 remind us you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble. therefore we will not fear,

though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. may our gratitude for your assistance in providence motivate us to stride for greater unity, to be more aware of our mortality, and to work to leave this world better than we found it. continue to bless and keep us, make your face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. lift the light of your confidence on to us and give us your peace now and always. we pray in your sovereign name, amen.

>> amen. >> please join me in saying "god bless america." >> ♪ god bless america land that i love stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above from the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam god bless america my home sweet home god bless america

my home sweet home ♪ [applause] >> this concludes today's ceremony. thank you for coming. ♪ >> on wednesday, john mccain and joe lieberman spoke on the senate floor to mark -- to.mark the attacks on september 11. >> it is with a heavy heart that i rise today to speak about the horrific attack yesterday on the u.s. consulate in benghazi that killed four american citizens.

sean smith and ambassador chris stevens are among the identified. i didn't know sean smith. i know he is a great american who served his country. but i have gotten to know chris stevens quite well. in his death, the libyan people have lost a great champion and believer in the peaceful aspirations of their democratic revolution. the american people have lost a selfless and dedicated servant of our interests and our values. and i have lost a friend. my thoughts and prayers today are with chrises family and his loved ones and those of his

fallen colleagues. our first order of business now is to make sure that our citizens living in libya and egypt and elsewhere across the region in the world are safe. americans look to the government in libya and egypt and elsewhere to meet their responsibilities in this regard. they also look to the libyan government to ensure that those responsible for yesterday's attack in benghazi are swiftly brought to justice. in all of these critical tasks, we are confident that the government will provide all necessary assistance and support. yesterday's attacks are an important reminder that some many american civilians and diplomats and development professionals are risking everything to advance our nation's interests and values abroad. we must do everything in our

power to ensure their security. at the same time, our thoughts turn to broader concerns. remembering our fallen friends and how our nation should respond to these tragic events. one of my most memorable events with chris stevens was last april in benghazi. as u.s. envoy to the libyan opposition, he had traveled to been gauzy at great personal risk to represent a country that he loved so much while libya was still gripped in a brutal fight for freedom. it was clear that there was no where that chris would have rather been than libya. we spent the day together a meeting libyan opposition leaders and many ordinary citizens. we spoke movingly about how they can find -- about how the opportunity to finally live in freedom meant to them and how grateful they were for american support. chris stevens embodied the

support and his passion for his mission was infectious. i kept in touch with him often and frequently after my visit. i was very happy when president obama nominated him to be americans ambassador to the new libya. the last time i saw chris stevens or shortly after he had taken after his post during my recent visit to tripoli. i especially remember the lighter moments we spent together, including when he insisted on personally making me a cappuccino, a task that he carried out with as much pride and proficiency as his diplomatic mission. that was on the morning of july 7, the day libyans voted in their first election in half a century. chris stevens and i spent the day together again, traveling around tripoli, visiting polling places and speaking with libyan

voters. we met a man whose father had been murdered by gaddafi's henchmen. we met a woman whose brothers recently gave their lives to the country's liberation. we met countless others, including many older libyans who were voting for the first time in their lives. and everywhere we went, we were greeted by crowds of cheering libyans bursting with pride and eager to shake our hands and express their gratitude for american support. it was one of the most moving experiences of my life and it was only made better by the fact that i got to serve with our outstanding ambassador chris stevens. what we sought together on that day was the real libya, the desire millions of people to live in freedom and democracy,

the immense gratitude felt for america's support for them, and their strong desire to build a new partnership between our nations. that is why i am not surprised that senior libyan leaders who were among the first to condemn the terrific attack, they killed chris and his colleagues -- many libyans fought to defend our people in our consulate in benghazi when they came under attack. some were wounded while doing so. and it was libyans who sought to get chris and his colleagues to the hospital. that is why we can afford to view the despicable -- we cannot afford to view the despicable acts that occurred yesterday by a few fanatics in any way as a representative of the people of

libya. that is not the real libya. bolivia that chris stevens knew and learn to love so well. i know many americans may feel the temptation, especially with so many domestic and economic challenges facing us here at home to distance ourselves from people and events, libya and egypt and elsewhere in the middle east. we cannot afford to go down that path. yesterday's attack in then dousing was the work of a small group of some violent -- in been benghazi was the work of a

small group of small violent group. when libyans turned up by the millions to electing new government in july, they gave the plurality of their vote not to religious fanatics, but to a political party led by a moderate technocrat and committed to a french ship with the united states. libyans -- committed to friendship with the united states. and their enemies are our enemies. they remain as committed as ever in imposing their evil ideologies through violence on people in libya and the middle east and ultimately on us.

they want to hijack the arabs spring for their own insidious purposes. and if we turn our backs now on the millions of people in libya and egypt and syria and other countries across the middle east, people who share so many of our values and interests, people will have a budget for the true authors of the arab spring, we will and our common enemies, the terrorists and extremists, the very victory that they seek. we were right to take the side of the libyan people and others in the region who shared their peaceful aspirations. and we would be gravely mistaken to walk away from them now. to do so would only be a betrayal of everything that chris stevens and his colleagues believe in and ultimately gave their lives for. it would be a bit trail of america's highest values and our own enduring national interest

in supporting people in the middle east and the world who want to live in peace and freedom. i am pleased to be joined by a friend from connecticut. i know that he shares with me the sorrow that we and all americans feel at the loss of a brave and of a brave and dedicated american. but it will be a long time before we forget chris stevens. he will stand as a shining example of patriotism and love of country. chris stevens was not unaware of the danger he faced. but he went forward and did his job with a smile, a love of his

country, and love of the country where he was serving. i cannot be more proud of ambassador chris stevens. >> mr. president, i think my friend from arizona for his very eloquent statement. i associate myself with -- it was no accident that these violent extremists launched this attack on the american consulate in tripoli on 9/11, on september 11, a day of infamy in our history, a day in which people in our country and really around the world were commemorating the worst terrorist attack in our history, september 11, 2001. those who perpetrated the attack on the conflict -- consulate

that resulted in our ambassador created anens' death act of barbarism that they hope will sow fear and hatred between americans and muslims, just as osama bin laden and his followers hoped 9/11 would do 11 years ago. but we did not let bin laden succeed then. and we will not let these violent extremists who killed chris stevens yesterday's succeed in dividing america and from muslims and the arab world. well intentioned people in both communities will rise up and renounced these extremists and killers. i want to speak for a moment

about chris stevens. simply put, chris stevens was one of the finest, bravest, most spirited, most talented diplomats in our nation's service. as a volunteer in the peace corps, he served in morocco where he was inspired to pursue a lifetime of service in the middle east. in the uprising against gaddafi last year, he was the deputy chief of our embassy in libya. he was evacuate along with other american personnel from the country, but returned to live rio within weeks of the special envoy of united states -- returned to libya within weeks as the special envoy of the united states, courageously slipping into rebel-held benghazi aboard a freighter.

it typified his commitment to our nation's ideals and his commitment to build bridges between americans and muslims. he stood with the people of libya during some of the darkest hours of their struggle for freedom. it became be bright symbol of america, and heroic and inspiring tribute to many libyans. senator mccain, senator gramm, and i thought it was the natural choice of president obama to become our ambassador to tripoli after the gaddafi regime fell. that is why his death at the hands of extremists in benghazi , was the seat of the revolution against gaddafi, is so tragic

and infuriating. we still do not know everything that happened. what is clear is that these attackers have to be apprehended and must be punished. i am encouraged, but not surprised by the statements of libya's leaders condemning the attacks. i am not surprised because these statements of condemnation are consistent with what i know their readers believe, what -- what their leaders believe, what i know to be their profound admiration and love for chris stevens and their respect and gratitude to the united states of america. we look now for the libyan government to act swiftly and decisively and for our own government to provide whatever support they need to find the attackers and killers.

specifically, the individuals responsible for this evil act. their target was the americans in that council it -- counselor -- consulate. they did this because of an ideology that we can no longer ignore or refuse. it matters to the future of libya and the future of the muslim world. it is the exact opposite of the ideals that inspired millions of libyans to rise up last year against gaddafi, to realize their dreams of a life of dignity, democracy, and human rights. for that reason, it is

imperative for those libyan people themselves to echo their leaders and condemn this violence and take on the extremists who have taken shelter in their midst and it threatened to hijack their revolution and imperil the future of their country, returning them to days as dark as those under gaddafi. i know that the overwhelming majority of libyans rejected this violent, extremist agenda. they want education for their children. they will foreign investment that will raise the standard of living. after 42 years of despair and depression under gaddafi, they badly want to be part of the world again. and the united states should stand ready and willing to help them on that path. the fact is the people who killed chris stevens yesterday in benghazi do not represent the

people of libya or their elected leadership. but these killings require confronting the extremist minority that threatens this future and relationships between muslims and the west and will try to justify their violence in the name of islam. they are wrong. they are mistaken. bair on the wrong side of history. and finally, a one to go back to something senator mccain had said. i know there will be those in the wake of this attack that will be tempted to argue that showing support for the libyan revolution was naive or mistaken, that the arab spring will ultimately be defined not by a desire for freedom by the people of the middle east and arab world, but by the dark fanaticism of al-qaeda and its

associates and the united states should give up vying for the support of people in this part of the world and instead retrench back here at home. that would be terribly wrong. that would misunderstand the motivations of the people who have risen up in the arab world to overthrow the totalitarian governments that dominated their lives. they do not want the fanaticism of the al-qaeda. they want the bright light of the democratic future. we cannot allow what happened yesterday to be a victory for the extremists and the terrorists, because to do so would be a betrayal of everything ambassador chris stevens stood for, of the trail of america's best ideals. mr. president, the senator from

south killer -- carolina and i will yield at this time. >> i do not have all whole lot to add to the eloquent statements of my friends. i want to be here and let the people, let the family of chris stevens know that we saw what you saw. a wonderful man who did great things with a life cut way to short. i do not think most americans can ever appreciate the leadership that chris provided to libyans at the time that we needed the most. the libyans have lost one of their best friends. and the family has lost a dear love 1. the one thing i can say for sure -- senator lieberman just mentioned -- the worst possible outcome is to take the death of this wonderful, nobleman and use it as an excuse to withdraw from

libya and the region and turn it over to the thugs who killed him. chris would not want that. is not in our national security issues -- it is not in our national security interests. republicans and democrats do not want that. the arab spring is an historic opportunity to change things. what we're trying to do in the mideast, and what people in the mideast are trying to do to us -- even been exposed to a lot of -- to a life outside the corrupt country in which to live and you see it can be better and quite frankly you are demanding it be better. you are demanding economic opportunity. chris stevens risked his life because he believed those demands were just. and the people we were fighting in the people the libyan people were fighting have no interest

in this agenda. of being able to choose a better path for young women, to be able to be tolerant, open, except free markets, and have a people or people can live their own dreams. antiworld of which we are fighting, your dreams are defined -- in the world which we're fighting, your dreams are defined by the ayatollah. your dreams are defined by someone else, where you should go and what you should be, based on their interpretation of god's plan for you. now that to me is so unacceptable that it compels people like chris stevens to risk their lives. and that is what is at stake. the people in libya, egypt, afghanistan, tunisia, iraq have been exposed to different way of life. given the capacity, they have the will to fight back. but if you think this is going to be done without a struggle,

we are kidding ourselves. chris knew this. he knew that it was a fight worth engaging in for the heart and soul of libya, and yes, worth risking one's life for. what can you say for a fellow human being, and american, then the fact they realized their time on earth would be best spent serving because that senator mccain says is greater than themselves? chris understood what is at stake. he went to a place he did not have to go. he accepted risk he could have avoided. and he did it for all right reasons. and one thing we should all unite around is absolutely in our national security interest, and that is to get the mideast right, have a second opportunity never known before in the mideast to live in peace with people who in the past one and to kill us all.

i am convinced if we stick with it and learn the lessons of chris stevens' live, we will eventually prevail. the ones who want to kill us all are really a minority. the ones in the would live with us in peace if they could just need our help. let it be said that chris stevens was there to about. thank you. >> thank you. i would also again like to emphasize those four brave americans. four. shaun smyth was one of them, a truly great american. there are two others. we do not even know their identities. we hope the families appreciate that we grieve for them. we got -- we had the opportunity of knowing chris stevens. i did meet sean smith.

we thank them for their service to this nation. and my friend from connecticut -- would be the worst legacy of chris stevens'serve is to this country would be a movement for the united states to withdraw to fortress america? to annex our service to the world in helping these countries achieve the same democracy and freedom that our forefathers strive for -- strived for? i do not mean to use his death for any political agenda. but i think my friend and i know the worst outcome for this

tragedy would be for the united states to withdraw. in fact, i am confident that if he were here, he would be urging us to get right back in, bring these extremists to justice, and press on with the democracy and freedom that the people of libya deserve. >> mr. president, i could not agree more with my friend from arizona. it would dishonor the service of chris stevens and the three other americans to surface in libya if their murders by these extremists led us to retrench and pullout of libya and stop supporting the new libyan government, democratically elected, pullout of other parts of the arab world. that would be exactly the opposite of what ambassador stevens would want. he was inspired by his peaceful -- peace corps experience in

morocco to serve on america's behalf in the middle east. b last thing he would one would be -- the last thing he would want would be for us to pull out of the area. also, it would be the fondest hope of the attackers, the extremist. what did they attack? they attacked to kill individual people, but they really attacked, as i said before, to push america out and create a war between the west and america and is long. it is not natural. -- and is long. is not natural. is not the direction we are going. in fact, the revolution in libya, which had gone so successfully -- to consider 40 years of dictatorship they lived under. they held a free election.

they held what is described as a moderate rule of law throughout their country. those uprisings in libya, egypt, tunisia, and now in syria are the most profound rejection and the defeat for the extremism of al-qaeda and its allies and presumably the group that attacked the american consulate in benghazi yesterday. i understand the results of the elections are unclear in some sense, and settled here. but they have chosen democracy. they are looking for a better life. and that is exactly the opposite of what the bin laden, al-qaeda, and i would guess the people who killed chris stevens yester day desire. senator mccain is absolutely

right. i can almost hear chris stevens saying "come on, get up. stay in the fight. don't surrender to the crazies, to the extremist. stand with the overwhelming majority, the people of libya." >> i would just like to say in conclusion, i think my old dear friend from connecticut and my friend from south carolina. finally, i will just share with my colleagues, on last july 7 i was in tripoli with chris stevens. it was the first free, fair election that the people of libya have ever experienced be been -- experienced. as we went from polling place to polling place, we met people who lead lost husbands, brothers, mothers, sisters at

the hands of one of the more brutal butchers that has ever been on earth, more market off the. -- more market coffee -- lamar gaddafi. we drove past people driving, honking, waving libyan flags, really an ambitious, auspicious start. chris stevens was recognized by all of them. they knew chris stevens. and they knew what he represented, the united states of america. so, those are memories that i will never forget and i hope that his family will appreciate the magnificent service that chris stevens provided to this nation.

>> in his weekly address, president obama talked about the attack on an victims of the u.s. consulate of libya. then the republican response and the defense budget and proposed sequestration caught. -- cut its. >> this week in libya, we lost four of our fellow americans, glenn doherty, carolyn woods, sean smith and chris stevens were all killed on an outrageous attack in our post in benghazi. these americans represented the best of our country. glenn and tyrone had served in america's navy seal for many years before their continued service providing security for our diplomats. they died defending their fellow americans advancing the values that all was cold beer. -- but all of us hold dear. shawn also started his service in uniform, in the air force. he then spent years at the state department, on several continents, always entering his country's call.

and investor chris stevens died -- ambassador chris stevens died a hero in two countries, here in the united states, where he inspired us who knew him, and in libya, a country that he helped to save, where he'll completely laid down his life. -- he ultimately laid down his life. on friday, house able to tell their families have much the american people appreciated their service. without people like them, america could not sustain the freedoms we enjoy, the leadership would demand. as we mourn their loss, we must also send a clear and resolute message to the world. those who attack our people will find no escape from justice. we will not waver in the pursuit and we will never allow anyone to shake the resolve of the united states of america. this tragic event takes place during turmoil in many countries. the united states has a profound respect for people all faiths. we stand for religious freedom. and we reject the denigration of any religion, including

islam. but there is never any justification for violence. there is no religion that condones the targeting of innocent men and women. there is no excuse for an attack of the american consulate. right now, we're doing whatever we can to reject a marriage -- to protect americans who are serving abroad. we are in contact with governments around the globe to make sure that every nation has a responsibility to help us protect our people. we have moved forward with an effort to see that justice is done for those we lost. we will not rest until that work is done. most of all, we must reaffirm that we will carry on the work of our fallen heroes. i know the images on our televisions are disturbing. but let us never forget that, for every angry mob, there are millions to yearn for the freedom and dignity and hope that our flag represents. that is the cost of america. we are americans.

we know that our spirit cannot be broken and the foundation of our leadership cannot be shaken. that is the legacy of the four americans that we lost, men who will live on in the hearts of those they loved and in the strength of the country they serve. with their memory to guide us, we will go forward. thanks. >> hello, i am united states representative and retired army lieutenant colonel alan west feared this week, the republican-led house of representatives continued to focus on jobs and removing government barriers that make it harder to create jobs. including the small business tax hike that president obama has proposed.

the house took action to address a serious threat to our national security, which is what i would like to discuss with you today. far from the coverage of election day, there is another day limit, january 2. it has here is consecrations for our nation's security -- it has serious consequences for our nation's security. it's the government does not act,there will be cuts that will reduce our national defense by as much as 10%. i spent 22 years in active-duty service in the united states army and served in several combat zones. i cannot understand -- i cannot understate the dam is that these cuts would do to our country. we would have the smallest ground force since 1940 and the smallest tactical force in the history of the united states military. leon panetta said that cuts of

this magnitude would be devastating to the defense department. the house of representatives has approved irresponsible plan to replace these devastating cuts. -- responsible plan to replace these cuts. the bad news is that the people's house is the only part of our government that is acting to eliminate this threat to our national security. the senate, a body controlled by our president's party, has done nothing. they have a poster disregarded any attempt we have made to work with him on a solution. president obama's failure to lead is inexcusable on his face. but even worse is the fact that the sequester, which is the president's idea in the first place. he did not want to deal with the issue again before his reelection campaign, so the what has put in this dangers

sequester as an escape hatch. dutch irresponsibility is how the sequestered came about. the president's senate did nothing. the house came back this week and passed a bill that i sponsored, that requires the president to finally sent congress a legitimate plan to replace his sequestered. while the president may not like our ideas, he has a responsibility to put forth his own and to press his senate allies to action appeared before the house started to debate my bill, the president threatened to veto it. one must simply ask why. think of the week we have just

been through. consider the stark and her thick reminders that freedom remained under siege by forces in violence over freedom of expression. it is critical that the united states expressed strength, that we remain resolute. the purpose of this addresses to respond to president obama, coming to say this to him directly. as an elected representative of the people, a career soldier, and concerned citizen, mr. president, for you as commander-in-chief of our armed forces, to sit and do nothing while our dark cloud hangs over the military is shameful. it is irresponsible and it is wrong. it is dead wrong. and you're not -- in your nomination acceptance speech, you stated your goal was to have the strongest military the world has ever known. you have proven this promise to the american people is nothing more than empty rhetoric. your determination to allow

sequestration proves your words are as hollow as your desire to hollow out our military. all of this is a bargaining chip to raise taxes. for the sake of our country and our future, i hope you will do the right thing, sir, and work with us to eliminate this threat so we can confront the great threats of freedom around the globe, to listen to our allies. it is because of these threats that america must continue to fund its military and support its armed forces to the fullest extent. the lives of all americans depend on it as to the memories of and battery -- of ambassador christi this and the serviceman -- chris stevens and the servicemen who perished with him this week in the middle east. please take a moment this week and to pray for their loved ones and for the brave warriors of our armed forces, the men and women, my brothers in arms who stay steadfast and loyal. stay steadfast and loyal.